Target donated $150k to a PAC for emmer's gubanatorial campaign in Minnesota (which is where Target is from). Emmer was not only anti-gay but very much in agreement with Arizona's policies against immigrants.
I remember this being pretty satisfying.
Did some more research and "up to $120k" of profits for the sale of these shirts will be donated to an equality organization.
A gay male friend from Minnesota did point out to me today that selling these shirts is pretty gutsy for Target at this time as there's an anti-marriage amendment currently being worked on in Minnesota at this time.
Sooo I think I am reversing my opinion on this - buying one of these shirts would:
1. Encourage Target to continue to be as pro-gay as they are
2. Ensure some organization working for our rights will receive almost as much as the donation made to Emmer's campaign.
3. Indicate to Target that LGBT folks spend money and they would be missing out on LGBT money when they treat our community as dismissively as they already did.
Based on the principle of approving of positive moves made by a corporation by purchasing merchandise that supports our community - since money speaks a different language when it's spent than when a place is entirely boycotted, I think I will buy one of these shirts while continuing to boycott other Target purchases. I can't find the YouTube on this type of activism but I did think it was a good idea - the opposite of a boycott - to spend money at companies for committing to doing the right thing as being an effective use of capitalism + activism.
I'm also more likely to shop at JCPenney's since they stood up against pressure to remove Ellen as a spokesperson despite anti-gay threats to boycott.
Also, the Obama campaign is now officially selling LGBT out for Obsma paraphernalia - and even though the designs aren't the best, I will likely purchase at least one of these items in support. Obama has had a lot of LGBT supporters despite his former disapproval of gay marriage and I want his campaign also to be able to count LGBT dollars among his supporters.